Out Music: Sylas Dean ‘Real’

Out singer/songwriter Sylas Dean

Out singer/songwriter Sylas Dean
Out singer/songwriter Sylas Dean (photo: Bryce Studios)
Out singer/songwriter Sylas Dean drops his new single, “Real,” following the debut of his EP American Dreeming. “Real” explores the halfway point between fantasy and reality as a relationship falls apart and one questions sincerity. A combination of synth-wave and cyberpunk, the electro-pop track alternates between urgent, vibrant baseline beats and airy, ethereal soundscapes. Originally from a small town on the east coast, Dean drove across the country with hundreds of songs written to reinvent himself as “Sylas Dean.” Armed with a dance driven sound accompanied with colorful club kid imagery, Sylas is fully ingrained in the fantasy of a cyberpunk heartthrob in all of the electric vibrancy we could ask for. Hit play and bop along. You can follow Dean on Instagram here. https://www.instagram.com/p/CP6hozIjLuq/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link  

News Round-Up: June 25, 2021

Out singer/songwriter KENTÖ

Out singer/songwriter KENTÖ
Out singer/songwriter KENTÖ
Some news items you might have missed: • Nevada Independent: After receiving a cancer diagnosis in March 2020, Shawn Dixon decided she would organize the first-ever Pride parade in her small town of less than 8,000 residents. Her dream of “years and years” will become a reality in Winnemucca, Nevada, on July 16 & 17. • Reuters: Respect LGBT rights or leave the European Union, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte told his Hungarian counterpart as the bloc’s leaders confronted Viktor Orban over a law that bans schools from using materials seen as promoting homosexuality. • Instinct Magazine: The valedictorian of a New Jersey high school was almost censored and silenced during his graduation speech by his principal when he began to touch on mental health and his sexuality. But thankfully, the student’s memorization skills saved the day.  

• New York Times: The Manhattan district attorney’s office has informed Donald Trump’s lawyers that criminal charges against his family business, the Trump Organization, in connection with fringe benefits the company awarded its chief financial officer, Allen H. Weisselberg, could be announced as soon as next week. • Justice Dept: Michael Atkinson, 28, Pablo Ceniceros-Deleon, 21, and Daryl Henry, 24, were sentenced to prison terms for their involvement in targeting gay men for violent crimes. The sentences ranged from 11-22 years for luring five men (using the Grindr dating app) to a vacant apartment in Dallas where they held the men at gunpoint, kidnapped, carjacked, and assaulted them. • Out Music: I recently shared the latest from out singer/songwriter Kentö, and today the artist (top photo) drops the official music video for the single, “Silhouette.” “Silhouette” is the first single from Kentö’s upcoming album release, Strangers, slated for release later this year. Kentö shares, “I feel like I’m finally making music that is really expressing the sounds that have been in my head all along.” https://youtu.be/fVUuXa2UHGw

Pride Music: Madame Gandhi ‘Freedom’

Madame Gandhi

Madame Gandhi
Madame Gandhi (photo: Naz Massaro)
Out indie electronic musician and activist Madame Gandhi shares joyous her docu-style music video “Freedom,” that celebrates Gandhi’s definition of freedom and her state of well-being coming out of the pandemic via reggae vibes and a healing message. The video for “Freedom” (directed by Madame Gandhi and Jared Bishop) showcases how Gandhi brings her philosophy to life on a personal level in Southern California, reconnecting with people she loves while taking care of herself. Gandhi  is not only an artist, but an activist whose mission is to celebrate gender liberation. Among her numerous achievements, she has earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Georgetown University, an MBA from Harvard Business School, been listed as a Forbes 30 Under 30 member and is a 2020 TED Fellow. Her uplifting music and talks have been critically acclaimed by The New York Times, Billboard, NPR and more. #BOOM Follow Madame Gandhi on Instagram here.

Out Music: A Great Big World & Travis Wall ‘Boys In The Street’

Cover image for "Boys in the Street" from A Great Big World

Cover image for "Boys in the Street" from A Great Big World I’m certain the emotionally raw new music video from Grammy winners A Great Big World for “Boys In The Street” will strike a chord deep within LGBTQ audiences. Directed by Se Oh and choreographed by Emmy Award winning choreographer Travis Wall (So You Think You Can Dance), the video chronicles the story of a father’s journey to accepting his son for who he is. Through Wall’s richly layered choreography,  we follow a young gay man (alternately played by Aydin Eyikan and Wall) who fights to save his fractured relationship with a homophobic father (Colin Cunliffe). Kudos to director Oh for using light and darkness as a metaphor for the father’s inability to truly ‘see’ his son. The song and video delicately crystallizes both the pain and hope that LGBTQ young people experience in their search for affirmation from their parents. Chad King, vocalist for A Great Big World, shared his thoughts on the video with HuffPost: “I would love for people to connect with the honesty and authenticity of the story behind the song and video, and to maybe have an awareness and appreciation for someone else’s struggles and differences in a way they haven’t had before. I am so proud of the video and how it captures the feeling the song gives me. I hope others will connect to it in a similar way!”

Promotional photo of the band A Great Big World
Chad King (left) and Ian Axel of A Great Big World (photo: Se Oh)
“The dance world has always embraced our music, really since we started making music together and we can’t think of a better way to visually tell the stories of our songs,” Ian Axel, pianist and vocalist for A Great Big World added. “We’ve been fans of Travis’ for a while now and have always wanted to work with him. There are few choreographers who make our hearts burst like Travis does. We’re so honored and thrilled that he was open to be a part of this!”

“Boys In The Street” follows A Great Big World’s “Fall On Me” with Christina Aguilera, both of which will be featured on their third full-length album due out this August. The latter has generated more than 30 million streams worldwide and reunited A Great Big World with Aguilera following their seven-times-platinum GRAMMY award-winning hit “Say Something.” Follow the band on Instagram here and Travis Wall here.

News Round-Up: June 22, 2021

Some news items you might have missed: • New York Times: Senate Republicans on Tuesday blocked the most ambitious voting rights legislation to come before Congress in a generation, using the filibuster to deal a blow to a bid by President Biden and Democrats to counter a wave of state-level ballot restrictions. Continue reading “News Round-Up: June 22, 2021”

Out Music: Kentö, Shea Diamond, Cade Bittner, Harrison Barnes, Sarah Barrios

Shea Diamond (promo photo)

Out singer/songwriter Kentö releases his new single 'Silhouette'
Out singer/songwriter/producer Kentö (promo photo)
Lots of new music to unpack for your Pride Month listening pleasure and there’s something for everyone here – synth-pop, dance music, rock and more. First up, singer, songwriter and producer, Kentö, is authentically himself with the release of “Silhouette” this week. Kentö’s warm, languid vocals are a perfect match for the shimmering synth-pop production as he sings, “Make it good, make it last so they never forget your silhouette.” The artist, a cancer survivor who identifies as being LGBTQI+ and on the autism spectrum, says those aspects help make up his “superpowers.” “I think pop music tends to have trends that all sound like one thing, and then someone comes along and shakes things up with a timeless sound,” says Kentö. “That’s the kind of music I want to make.”

You can follow the handsome artist on Instagram here.

https://youtu.be/fVUuXa2UHGw


Shea Diamond (promo photo)
Shea Diamond (promo photo)
Soul chanteuse Shea Diamond throws down serious dance beats with her new single, “Smile.” With a funky bass line, bright sassy horns and Diamond’s signature groovy vocal goodness, this track is a winner. Set in a roller rink littered with glitter and disco balls everywhere, the boys twirl for life on the floor (or find some private time in the men’s room). “This song reminds me that I’m not the victim society deemed me; I’m a survivor,” Shea said. “I wanted a song that captured the roller coaster of emotions and experiences we go through in life.” “With the pandemic mostly over I wanted a song of triumph and celebration, one that encourages you to get up, get out, and dance!” Follow the diva on Instagram here.


Cade Bittner's latest single 'Dancing In My Own Light' Since its debut earlier this month, the latest track from Cade Bittner has seen his new single, “Dancing In My Own Light,” run up the charts in the UK and hit #3 on the iTunes Dance Chart. The vibrant dance-pop track has a buoyant bounce that definitely brings a taste of the Pride rainbow. “I wanted to write a song that made people feel happy and dance,” says Bittner. “It has been a hard year for so many… and although the message is universal, I wrote this as an anthem for my LGBT+ community. It’s about loving who you were born to be.” Bounce down to that play button and enjoy. You can follow the Minneapolis-based artist on Instagram here.


Cover image for the new single from Harrison Barnes 'Call My Name' Las Vegas-based singer/songwriter Harrison Barnes serves up his latest sexy pop bop, “Call My Name,” about a ex coming back for another round. The moody, intoxicating electro-pop soundscape is matched with a shadowy, abs-out, wet and wild dance video that reminds us how fun music videos can be. “Call My Name” in an infectious track made for summer pool parties. Follow Barnes on Instagram here.


Sarah Barrios drops her latest single "IH8EVERY1" Singer/songwriter Sarah Barrios penned her latest track, “IH8EVERY1,” as part of her “You Ask, I Write” series on TikTok with a short snippet initially shared on May 3rd of this year. After its viral response on TikTok with over 3 million plays and over 650k likes, she knew she had to release the full version. The rock-tinged single is full of sass and cheeky unfiltered fun as Barrios delivers an authentic, audacious turn reminiscent of Cyndi Lauper. “Fairytales are hard to believe sometimes, especially if your prince or princess charming doesn’t turn out to be who you hoped them to be,” shares Barrios. “It’s easy to give up on love and hope altogether and can make you feel like it’s you against the world. But every once in a while, you meet someone you don’t mind being around, and you start to feel that small sliver of hope. That’s what this song is about.” “HAPPY PRIDE FROM UR FAVE MESSY BISEXUAL!” wrote Sarah Barrios on her Instagram at the beginning of the month. “Took a few years but I finally made it!!! This is my first pride out of the closet and my god does it feel good.”

Out Music: Kat Cunning Celebrates Pride With ‘Boys’

Non-binary artist and actor Kat Cunning has released the official music video for their song “Boys” in celebration of Pride 2021. The entire cast and crew of the fun and joy-filled music video identifies as either transgender or non-binary.

Non-binary artist and actor Kat Cunning has released the official music video for their song “Boys” in celebration of Pride 2021. The entire cast and crew of the fun and joy-filled music video identifies as either transgender or non-binary. Continue reading “Out Music: Kat Cunning Celebrates Pride With ‘Boys’”

Podcast: Pride Month 2021, Bakery Hit By Homophobia, The Latest From Eli Lieb

The Randy Report podcast

The Randy Report podcast delivers the week's top stories in a quick, convenient podcast - 'the 60 Minutes of gay news - only shorter' In this week’s headlines: • For the first time in five years, the LGBTQ community not only received full-throated support from the man in the Oval Office, but President Joe Biden, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris all issued video greetings to LGBTQ Americans for Pride Month • Congress votes to make Pulse Nightclub a national memorial • Gay men in the UK will have an easier time donating blood • A bakery in Texas experienced hideous homophobia for saying ‘Happy Pride’ and then the internet stepped in • Eli Lieb drops the perfect anthem for Pride Month ‘Boys Who Like Boys’ All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report

Out Music: Grace Gaustad ‘Creature’

Grace Gaustad

Grace Gaustad
Grace Gaustad (photo: Shervin Lainez)
In her debut album, BLKBX: wht r u hding, out singer Grace Gaustad explores her experience with issues like gender, body, and being beauty-shamed as well as challenges regarding her learning disability. In her latest music video, ‘Creature,’ the out bi artist takes on her bullies in the hope that “one day people will just call us by our names.” “I believe there is a truth to the saying we’re only as sick as our secrets,”Gaustad recently told The Advocate about the message behind the new song. “I know it’s not easy for anyone to come out because everyone’s circumstances are different, but I know for me coming out put me on a path to healing.” The singer/songwriter began her meteoric rise when her 2018 cover of Hozier’s “Take Me to Church” went viral on YouTube garnering more than 2.2 million views to date. Hit the play button and enjoy. You can follow Gaustad on Instagram here.

Out Music: Robert Bannon ‘I Think He Knew’

Screen capture from 'I Think He Knew' by Robert Bannon New York City cabaret performer and SNL regular Robert Bannon recently released his new original video and single, “I Think He Knew Me,” for Pride Month. This tender video chronicles the relationship between a father and son where the son reveals to his father that..well, you know…

The single and music video are a prelude to the release of Bannon’s debut album, Unfinished Business, on July 2, 2021. The new collection of cover songs includes duets with Grammy Nominee Jane Monheit and Loren Smith (back-up singer for Michael Bublé). If you’re in the New York City area, you can catch Bannon live/in person at Feinsteins/54 Below on July 30 – Ticket info here. And you can follow him on Instagram here. https://www.instagram.com/p/CP-yTR_hrXZ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link